The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-05
! TO ENGLAND IN FIVE
DAYS.
Wonderful Vessel Now
Building at Alexandria.
American Pluck aud Enterprise Solv.
ing the Problem OF Swifter Ocean
Transit. Description of the
Mighty Ship Which VIII
BE Complete Within a
Yenr.

ility of making an ocean voyage be-
tween New York and England at
a profitable figure in less than six
days, has hitherto been received
with more or less skepticism by
men who are interested in the
ocean carrying trade. 1t seems to
be reserved for American enter
prise and pluck to effect solution
of the problem, and this solution is
now assuming parctical shape.
This new departure is to involve
not only greater speed, safety, and
additional luxury of appointments
at the present average of cost per
passage, based on the rates now
eXacted, but it comprises the most
perfect improvements yet known
in maritime skill. A company
which adopted the name of Arrow
Steamship company, with offices at
lis Broadway, has been incorporat-
ed with capital of $1,00O,OOO.
From one of it's officials your cor
respondent has obtained an inter-
esting resume of it's objects.
A hugh model of the first of a
fleet of swift iron or steel vessels is
now on exhibition. The model
shows six tunnels and six masts,
representing a vessel of $500 tons.
The application Of the principals
of the peculiar construction of the
fleet Is covered by patent granted
by tho United States on Jan. H.,
1887, and also secure in every
country having q seacoast, with a
right to- build steamships of all
kinds. The pioneer vessel of the
Arrow line is now being built at
Alexandria, Va. She is named
Pocahontas, and she will be launch
ed by November of the present
year.
The registered tonnage of the
Pocahontas will be $500 and her
dead weight $500 tons. Her di-
mensions are, length over all, $40
feet; beam 40 feet; extreme depth
46 feet; draught at bow 90 feet, and
at stern % 3inches. The capacity
of the engines is 10000 nominal
horse power, with u capacity for
deyelopement to $4,000. She is
meant to carry only passengers,
express and mail matter.
Her model is similar to that of the
Stiletto, which has a record of
twenty-three miles per hour. But
the Pocahontas' engine power will
be 21.3 times as great as that of the
Stiletto, and this without forcing is
beyond ordinary requirements.
Her tendency to rolling, which
is mostly increased by the length
of vessel, will be neutralized by
the disposition which will be made
in the adjustment of her weights.
These will be arranged below the
water line as to prevent it. Her
great keel will materially aid in
the same direction. 1t will be five
and a half feet at the bow and ten
and half feet at the stem. 1t will
extend below the hull, the whole
length of the vessel, and will form
gigantic centerboard to steady
her. Her hull is to be built of
Tennessee charcoal iron, and also
of steel whenever necessary. If
needed for government service in
time of war, it can be readily con-
verted into a formidable and
dangerous ram.
Mr.. r. M. Fryer, engineer-in-
chief, is the patentee of the system
he has adopted in the plan; of this
vessel, and he contends that ac-
,cording to his designs the Pocahon-
tas will be able to make an ocean
passage to England in nearer five
than six days. She will carry $50
first-class saloon passengers, and
sos second cabin and steerage. The
vessel will cost 100000 to bnild,
and it is claimed by the company
that it can be constructed in an
American ship yard for 25 per cent
less than any inferior vessel of
equal tonnage can be built on the
Clyde. From her passengers alone
it is asserted, that, based upon the
present rates of travel by the Cum
ard line, sufficient profit to pay
her entire construction can be
made, as well as a large dividend
each year.
1t is the intention to have week.
ly mail services as soon as the ves-
.sels are completed, from which it
is expected that revenue of near
ly 100000 per annum will be de-
rived. The company hopes to have
these boats aflOat within a year.
A freight line is also spoken of, the
vessels of which will approximate
to principles applied in the con-
struction Of the passenger ships.
AS soon as the first vessel is in
antiua aaruina IL is, x,nonanoI 10